Cable wire threading tool



Dec. 16, 1969 D. M. LEMONS 3,483,773

CABLE WIRE THREADING TOOL Filed Aug. 15, 1966 INVENTOR. DONAL D M. LEMONS nited States Patent 0 3,483,773 CABLE WERE THREADING TOOL Donald M. Lemons, 5077 Chaucer Ave., San Diego, Calif. 92120 Filed Aug. 15, 1966, Ser. No. 572,592 Int. Cl. B2513 29/00 US. Cl. 81-3 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A cable wire threading tool for threading additional conductors in a preformed multi-conductor cable of the type having a plurality of binding means for binding the individual conductors into an integral cable comprising a metallic or plastic crescent-shaped trough converging into a sharp insertion tip at one end and diverging to a handle portion at the other end and a crease at the bottom of the crescent-shaped trough in communication with the tip, the tip being dimensioned for insertion between one of the binding means and two conductors of the multi-conductor cable and for threading an additional conductor therethrough.

The present invention relates to a cable wire threading tool and more particularly to a cable wire threading tool for adding one or more conductors to a finished cable.

The type of cable in which the instant invention finds its major utility is simply comprised of a plurality of insulated electrical conductors bound together by a series of clamps, grommets, or string lacing. When a conductor is inadvertently left out of this type of cable or an additional conductor needs to be added due to a modification in the associated circuitry, etc., it is extremely difficult to make the necessary addition without replacing the complete cable since the binding means of the conductors are generally tight enough to preclude the addition of another conductor through a simple threading operation. Attempts to spread adjacent conductors to make room for an additional conductor at the bound points result in damage to the insulation of the individual conductors and sometimes necessitate removal of the binding means and replacement thereof after the additional wire is replaced in the group of conductors.

According to the invention, a cable wire threading tool is provided which spreads adjacent conductors and further provides a channel between the binding means and the group of conductors for the additional conductor to be threaded through. The threading tool can be constructed of a relatively hard plastic or in the alternative, it can be fabricated easily out of metal. In general, the tool is a small rounded trough which is preferably creased at the bottom for spreading adjacent conductors which are contacted by the threading tool. It is inserted between the binding means and the adjacent conductors each time and the added wire threaded individually through each binding means to effect the addition of one or more conductors to a multi-conductor cable.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a cable wire threading tool for adding one or more conductors in a pre-formed multiconductor cable.

Another object is the provision of a cable wire threading tool which will not damage existing insulation.

A further object is the provision of a cable wire threading tool which is inexpensive to manufacture and simple to utilize.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following de- 'ice tailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing in which the sole figure illustrates in perspective the preferred embodiment of the present invention in use.

Referring to the drawing, a cable wire threading tool is shown generally at 11 having a handle portion 12 at one end tapering down to an insertion tip 13 at another end. Two crescent-shaped sides 14 terminate in a crease 16 at the bottom of the tool. A multi-conductor cable 15 is held together by a series of clamps 18, 19 and 21. Insertion tip 13 is shown being inserted in clamp 18 with conductor 21 in position for an insertion between clamp 18 and conductors 17.

In normal practice, conductors 17 are made up prior to their installation inassociated electronic equipment with clamps 18, 19 and 21 secured firmly in place and tightened sufiiciently to render the insertion of an additional conductor such as conductor; 21 extremely difiicult, if not impossible, without loosening each individual clamp. In the case of other binding means such as grommets, as the cable passes through a chassis, for example, or lacing, the problem becomes magnified in that there is no convenient means of loosening these other types of binding means. Clamps 18, 19 and 21 are merely exemplary as one type of binding means.

When it is essential to add another conductor such as wire 21, the threading tool is pressed with the small insertion tip 13 between two conductors, spreading them, and passing the insertion tip 13 under the binding means, in this case, clamp 18, to form a channel between the binding means and the remainder of the conductors in which the added wire 21 can easily be slipped. Once the end of the wire 21 is well beyond the binding means, e.g., two or three inches, the end of the wire can be held while the threading tool is removed and the wire pulled on through to the next binding means where the operation is repeated until the wire being added is threaded throughout the entire cable length. The handle portion 12 should be dimensioned for a convenient grip between the thumb and the forefinger.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates to only a preferred embodiment of the invention and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for the purposes of the disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A cable wire threading tool for threading additional conductors in a pre-formed multiconductor cable of the type having a plurality of binding means for binding the individual conductors into an integral cable comprising:

a crescent-shaped trough, said crescent-shaped trough converging to a relatively small insertion tip at one end and diverging to a handle portion at another end and being dimensioned for spreading adjacent conductors of a multi-conductor cable when forced between one of said binding means and two conductors; and

a crease at the bottom of said crescent-shaped trough and in proximity with said insertion tip for spreading adjacent conductors in said cable.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,523,558 9/1950 Cavallier 193-1OX OTHELL M. SIMPSON, Primary Examiner 

